With this motion, Culver City becomes the first California municipality to approve a resolution to call for a statewide ban against fracking.

Prior to Monday night’s (July 2, 2012) vote, the council was considering calling on the state for a moratorium. However, as Councilmember Meghan Sahli-Wells stated on the dais: “We have to be bold. The state needs pressure. We don’t have time to mess around. The message really does matter—‘Ban’ sends a strong message.” Vice Mayor Jeff Cooper echoed Sahli-Wells’ sentiments, stating, “ ’Ban’ shows we’re serious. We should let the state know how we really feel.” Initially, Councilmembers Jim Clarke and Micheal O’Leary favored a moratorium over a ban but…Read the entire Council report on Culver City PATCH >>

As a longtime steering committee member of Transition Culver City, Meghan has a firm understanding in local environmental issues—and now she serves our entire city in an official capacity! Meghan showed great courage and elegant statesmanship at the meeting as she remained true to her position until all five councilmembers achieved consensus. Here’s what Meghan had to say post-meeting on Culver City Patch:

Demonstration at City Hall, June 12. Photo by Kate Parkinson-Morgan

“Words matter. The original resolution called for a moratorium…but after hearing from scores of residents over the last several months and reading many studies, reports, and articles, I made the motion to change the word moratorium in the resolution to ban.”Read Meghan’s whole commentary on PATCH >>

A bold first step has been made by our City Council in protecting the health of our environment and our citizens. To be continued!

Bag It! Screening > Thursday Feb. 24, 7-9 pmThe Clean Seas Coalition and Transition Culver City present:“Bag It!” the award-winning documentary about why we’re banning plastic bags and looking at our relationship with single-use plasticsDoors open at 7pm, screening at 7:30pm – public forum discussion after the filmCulver-Palms United Methodist Church – 4464 Sepulveda Blvd – Culver City, CA 90230Requested donation: $5 (to help pay for the screening) – Everyone donating will be entered into a drawing for a DVD copy of the film, signed by the filmmakers

Knitting Circle Update – from Nicky

A small group of women met on a cold wintry night for our first Knitting Circle in a warm living room. Some of us were established knitters. One had never knit before but learnt that night. At half time, we had tea and an assortment of healthy desserts.

We want to increase our numbers and welcome all who knit, crotchet, needlepoint or quilt.

Our next meeting is on March 24th, 7-9pm. Email Nicky to RSVP and get directions: verbreg@aol.com.

Community Think Tank: The Plastic Bag Challenge

part of the international 10/10/10 “Global Work Party” organized by 350.org

The California State Senate voted against banning single-use plastic bags in California (SB1998) this summer. Yet the problem of plastic bag pollution remains.

Transition Culver City facilitated a community conversation to gather information and work toward a solution to the plastic bag dilemma. This lively discussion forum for thinking collectively about local solutions for our pollution, waste, oil dependency and ailing watershed had 50 participants, including several children who helped to create a temporary art installation out of plastic bags.

Photo by Jonathan Levy

Participants were urged to bring used single-use grocery bags for the art piece, in exchange for hand-made re-usable bags.

On November 16th, the L.A. County Supervisors voted to ban single-use plastic bags and charge 10¢ for paper bags in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. They also approved an Environmental Impact Report encompassing the entire county, which will make it easier for incorporated cities like Culver City to pass bans of their own. Culver City activists present at the hearing agreed to keep the pressure on the city to act swiftly on the matter.